Self-employed Canadians have two different tax deadlines — one for filing, one for payment — and missing the payment deadline costs money even if you file on time. Here is every date you need in 2026 with what happens if you miss each one.
The Two Core Deadlines
April 30, 2026 — Payment Deadline
Any balance owing to the CRA for your 2025 income tax must be paid by April 30, 2026. This applies to everyone, including self-employed Canadians. If you owe tax and do not pay by this date, the CRA charges daily compound interest at the prescribed rate (approximately 7–8% in 2026) starting May 1.
April 30, 2026 falls on a Thursday — no weekend extension applies.
June 15, 2026 — Filing Deadline for Self-Employed
If you or your spouse or common-law partner earned self-employment income in 2025, your T1 return is due June 15, 2026 (extended from the standard April 30 deadline). You can file between now and June 15 without a late-filing penalty — but any balance owing still had to be paid by April 30.
Filing on June 14 with a balance owing is not late-filed — but the interest on that unpaid balance has been running since May 1.
Instalment Payment Dates (2026)
If you owed more than $3,000 in net tax in 2025 and in either 2024 or 2023, quarterly instalments are required in 2026:
| Instalment | Due Date |
|---|---|
| First | March 15, 2026 |
| Second | June 15, 2026 |
| Third | September 15, 2026 |
| Fourth | December 15, 2026 |
GST/HST Deadlines for Annual Filers
If you are a GST/HST annual filer with a December 31 fiscal year-end:
- Filing deadline: June 15 (same extended deadline as self-employed T1)
- Payment deadline: April 30 (same as income tax payment)
If you are a quarterly or monthly GST/HST filer, returns and payments are due one month after the end of each reporting period.
Other Key 2026 Dates
| Date | Deadline |
|---|---|
| March 3, 2026 | RRSP contribution deadline for 2025 deduction (last day of February was a Saturday) |
| March 15, 2026 | First quarterly tax instalment |
| April 30, 2026 | Pay 2025 income tax balance owing; pay 2025 GST/HST balance (if annual filer) |
| June 15, 2026 | File 2025 T1 (self-employed); second quarterly instalment |
| September 15, 2026 | Third quarterly instalment |
| December 15, 2026 | Fourth quarterly instalment |
Penalties for Missing Each Deadline
| Missed Deadline | Consequence |
|---|---|
| April 30 payment | Daily compound interest (~7–8%) on unpaid balance from May 1 |
| June 15 filing (with balance owing) | 5% of balance owing + 1%/month for up to 12 months (repeat offenders: 10% + 2%/month up to 20 months) |
| June 15 filing (no balance owing) | No penalty — but benefits may be delayed |
| Quarterly instalment | Interest on the underpaid amount at prescribed rate |
| GST/HST return | A + (B × C) formula: typically 1% of amount owing + 25% of that × months late |
Frequently Asked Questions
If I file on June 14 with a balance owing, am I penalized?
Not for late filing — June 15 is within the extended deadline for self-employed. But you will have accumulated interest on the unpaid balance since May 1. Filing on time is correct; paying by April 30 is essential.
What if I cannot afford to pay by April 30?
File your return on time regardless of whether you can pay. Late-filing penalties are much larger than interest charges. Once you have filed, contact the CRA to arrange a payment plan (a taxpayer relief provision). The CRA’s Debt Management Call Centre (1-888-863-8657) handles payment arrangements.
Does the June 15 extension apply if I have a spouse with employment income only?
Yes. If you are self-employed, the June 15 extended deadline applies to both your return and your spouse’s or common-law partner’s return — even if their income is entirely from employment. The CRA gives both spouses the extended deadline when either one is self-employed.